Wildlife officials recover eight falcons in Mochko

Earlier this month, Customs officials rescued 75 falcons, one Houbara bustard in a raid

As many as eight falcons were recovered by a Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) team from the jurisdiction of the Mochko police station on Monday.

The endangered birds, being transported from Balochistan to Karachi, were recovered during a raid conducted on a tip-off.

The owner of the birds, Liaquat Ali Khaskheli, told the SWD officials that he was to hand over the birds in Saddar, while the vehicle's driver claimed the birds were to be delivered to a place located in Defence Housing Authority.

"Both the suspects were detained, while the birds are in our custody," said the SWD official Inspector Naeem Khan. "We will release the falcons after [the completion of] the legal formalities."

Khan stated that the vehicle impounded by the police had been hired by Khaskheli, adding that both Khaskheli and the drier were later released on surety, while a fine would be imposed on the owner.

Last week, SWD officials had recovered a couple of birds of the same species from Hyderabad, which were also being transported to Karachi.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, Customs officials had recovered at least 75 falcons and a Houbara bustard during two raids in the city's posh localities.

According to wildlife conservationists, the peak time for trappers has started, as migratory birds from colder regions begin to arrive in Sindh from the start of October.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2020.